At least 700 people have allegedly been killed during protests in Tanzania since Wednesday, coinciding with presidential and legislative elections, according to opposition sources. The unrest follows a period of heightened political tensions as voters head to the polls.
The government, however, insists that the situation is under control, describing the fatalities as isolated incidents.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 after the death of her predecessor, is seeking election in her own right for the first time. Initially praised for easing restrictions and promoting political openness, she now faces criticism over alleged repression of opponents, with one key rival jailed and another disqualified from contesting.
The unfolding events have raised concerns among human rights observers about the conduct of the elections and the treatment of political dissent in Tanzania.
